The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-10
A CONviCT'S ROMANCE.
A Refugee from a Northern Prison
Wins Fame and Fortunefn
the South.

"A rOIutuCo tnut Huo iOhS poOn h""~oA
has Just come to light. writes @ Jeiier-
sonville, Ind, correspondent OF Ihe ~.
Louis Globe Democrat. Thirty-eight
years ago Calvin Lyons was young
mechanic of Poscy county. Indiana. he
had but one fault, and that was excess
sive indulgence in ntoxicants. One
night he quarrelcd with bosom friend
with whom he was drinking. in sa-
loon. and shot him through ths heart
The young man yas tried, convicted OF
manslaughter, al sent to the prison
south, at Jacksonville, for twenty-one
years. He served two years. and one
cold night in March, 1850. he resolved
10 escape or die. He had secretly made
tools, and had them hidden in his cell.
When the great bell began tolling the
hour at 0 o'clock he commenced the
work of cutting hole in the wall. lie
worked industrously and soon had one
cut through. and was in the corridor
Here another wall three feet thick con-
fronted him. Nothing daunted, he
went to work. and in couple of hours
had cut hole big enough to crawl
through. He then made the startling
discovery that the hole was at least
forty feet from the ground While he
was considering what had best be done.
the guard came along and discovered
him. Before the later could make an
out cry, Lyons sprang upon him. and
being a powerful man, soon had the Of
fetal insensible upon the floor. 1t re-
,auired but few minutes to bind, gag.
and strip the man of his clothes, which
Lyons hastily donned. Lyons then
tore his bed-clothes into strips, with
which he made rope and lowered HIM
self to the ground.
The steamer Sunflower was anchor
ed at the falls. and, being short OF
hands, when Lyons volunteered to go
to work they accepted the offer. The
boat left for southern waters. The
prison officials searched high and low
Tor him, but he could not be found.
In the meantime the steamer Sun
flower changed hands. and in two years
LYONS bad become her captain. He
saved money and ran IN the Red river
trade. One time while on visit to
some new friends at Deer Creek. Miss,
he conceived the idea of building
mammoth cotton gin. Not having
enough money of his own. he interest
cd a wealthy planter in his scheme.
and the gin was built. Time brought
them prosperity. and Dame Fortune
smiled her sweetest upon them.
His partner had daughter. and she
and Lyons fell deeply in love. The
latter did not wish TO wed the young
lady without telling them OF his former
life. of which, prior to this time, he
had been mysteriously reticent. Call
ing the young lady and her father into
the Office one day, he made clean
breast of the affair. At its conclusion
ne told lne father chat he was IA love
with his daughter, and asked II he
would give her to an escaped convict.
The old man considered the matter,
and finally gave his consent They
were married. and children grew up to
bless the household. His wife's father
died and made over his property to his
son-in-law, who was then worth in the
neighborhood Of $4,000.
When the war broke out he Joined
che confederate army to battle for the
south. He made gallant soldier and
won distinction for himself on many O
CORY field. After peace again over
spread the land he resumed business,
and is now a wealthy and honored res
dent of Deer Creek. His hair is silver
ed and his face 10 wrinkled, but he is
still hale and hearty, and be has nearly
reached three score OF years.
Some eight or nine years ago gen.
fIeman passed through Deer Creek and
stopped over night with Mr.. Lyons.
He mentioned that he was from Jeffer-
sonville, and the host proceeded to tell
him his history.
"Are YOU not afraid 10 tell me this,
Mr.. LyonsP' said the gentleman.
No." said the host "1he people
mere wouldn't see me arrested and TAX
en- back to prison, and ldefy the officers
TO try it."
The gentlemen has since correspond
ID regularly with his southern host,
and few days ago. for the first time,
-elated the incident The hole Lyons
suit through the front Of the prison is
,till visible, although It has been patch
ID. and on the books Is marked: Cal
gin Lyons escaped March. 1850" Ii is
,robable no attempt will be made to
,rino him back and that the man will
mend the few remaining days Of his life
n the southern town in which his in
I...f<~ mon him n fortune.